{ AHT }

"You forgot your bouquet, Snow White!"

Theo whirls around at the bottom of the staircase and looks up at us. Ki holds up a bundle of tulips while I lean against the bannister.

"Oh knock my head!" He runs up, snatches the bouquet, and rushes down to the door. "Thanks, Ki!"

Can't stop one more tease, I add, "Go get her, lover boy!"

"Don't pressure ME!"

I snort and we burst into giggles. Theo slams the door shut, and his pitter-patter on the snowy gravel outside fades when I pull Ki downstairs for breakfast. We exchange nods with Mr. Guthrie at the front desk, where he diligently listens to the long tales told by a new guest.

The golden-lit hall isn't crowded because the morning is too early. Six in the morning to be exact. Why is the Guthrie family awake before dawn? Christmas is approaching and they didn't prepare a single thing due to a surge of guests, until a couple of days ago. Currently, I can hear Mrs Guthrie baking in the kitchen with their staff. Their sons put up the lights outside. Their daughters decorate the corridors upstairs. Not in a hurry, however, these are all the last touch-ups.

Since last week, Ki and I have worked here for a real clean income. Due to our work shift this afternoon, we are up early because we want to spend today's free time exploring outside. I don't think the townspeople will like it if a pair of giants stroll around the streets at three in the morning.

Also, we helped Theo get ready for his date. I asked him why he took Angeline out for such an early breakfast. He said they both decided it since they'll have more time to spend the day. If I didn't care for them, I'd gag.

With many dishes in hand, Ki and I take seats near a large window. Dark distant hills graced with snow are shown.

Graced with snow... How ironic.

We dig in.

"Do you think he needs help in dating Angeline?" She thumbs the breadcrumbs on my chin when I eat my strawberry pancakes ravenously. She wore me out for the whole day yesterday...

Doesn't mean my hunger for her dwindles. Certainly not when she licks her thumb clean. Funny enough, she does it without a care. As a habit. It's strange yet satisfying to see how fast we understand each other's habits for around two months now. How fast we can be openly affectionate. I guess human time runs differently for us both.

"He's a big boy, sweetheart. A man. He will learn by himself," my voice breaks, and I clear my throat.

She watches the hills, sipping an orange tea. Her look shifts to calculative... Definitely doesn't help with the hunger.

"It's been two weeks since they last met, correct?" Munching down her toast, she then licks her upper lip... Her gaze moves to me. She soon flashes a wolfish grin, tilting her head to the right. "My fire. Hungry again?"

I look away, willing my cheeks to stay unaffected. And failing. "Says the insatiable monster." My foot plays with hers under the table and she hums in glee. "Thirteen days and thirteen hours. At most," I answer.

Her eyes linger on me, even when we're finishing our meals. Her questions were peculiar. Theo and Angeline met again during our lunch outing, and he clammed up around her. Only at the end of it, he dared to ask her. In a timid manner. I'm sure he'll be fine... eventually?

"Do you always count the time, love?" Her question pauses me.

"Not always." I glance down and resume my last bite. "Fine, often. Regarding the people I care about. It won't go away so easy, Ki."

She reaches over, holds my hand, and kisses the knuckles. I feel her warmth once more... I do wonder what her lesson is or was, and it's worrying me to this day. She is strong, but I don't like it if she gets blindsided. There is a lot on her plate.

Her stare softens. "Understood."

"Why did you ask about their last meeting?"

"Did he read enough romance books to properly woo a girl?"

I see. "He breathes for it. Well-educated in it."

"Did he prepare enough in that window of time?" She leans forward with a cocked eyebrow. "Not in practical matters, I assume."

I flash a toothy smirk. "Well, so weren't we when we were new in love."

"We're not human-born in the first place."

"And who are we to question his wooing method, my Ki?"

A fond smile decorates her. "Fine." She empties her drink.

"This increasing judgement is making me hot and bothered, baby." I grin behind my glass.

A delicious blush rises to her face, and she laughs, "Hush!"

We watch the hills in silence. Calm, cosy, and chilly... I shuffle my socked feet under hers and re-tie my braid. "I know he is capable of managing his very first date." My confidence in the boy slowly wavers when I say it out loud. "Very first date," I repeat.

I share a look with my beloved. Oh bother, this is Theodore we're talking about. In haste, we bring our plates to the kitchen for a wash, run upstairs to wear our things, and rush outside. Ki's head barely avoids the door frame.

We are in our thickest bundle of winter clothes with our thickest boots, so we have to waddle to our destination. Like damn penguins. Not an easy feat. But I love Ki's little tired huffs and puffs and her adorable red nose.

The cold wind bites our cheeks as thin snow crunches under our feet. In a matter of minutes, we found Theodore and Angeline inside an old-looking building.

"I can't see, Aht!"

"Hold still!" I rest her weight on my left side as we peer from behind a stone partition, just outside a restaurant where they have their breakfast. Luckily, the street light above us has a solid base and it casts a shadow over us.

"Seems Theo can handle it on his own." I frown.

They are laughing and eating when the place is almost empty. The mild lighting inside shines through the snowfall and no one is on the streets. The first sign of blue dawn is reaching here. This is... quite romantic. Good for them.

"He has The Highness' help for this date. What a letdown."

"Wait," Ki laughs in surprise. "You want him to fumble?"

"Just a tad! I want to be entertained."

She slaps my chest playfully. "Mad."

Wait! My braid is tugged down by—!

We both crash down on the ground from imbalance, looking up at the boy who did it. His smiling, upside-down face angles to a side.

"Why did you do that, Mike??" I question.

Michael shakes his head. "Why did you two spy on my friend and her date?"

"We don't, we are"—her hands gesture around—"observing."

He rolls his eyes and helps us in getting up.

I brush the snow off from her mane. "Concerned if Theo will be clumsy on their date. Why are you here?"

He shrugs and tells us, "Finished helping at Mr. Smithson's shop. Passing by. What do you mean clumsy?"

Counting my fingers, I list down. "He's a dreamer, overly excited at times, anxious. A sucker for romance."

"In a sense, he is like her except for the dreamer part." He looks over to the couple and plasters a weak smile. "Perfect for her."

Ki and I share a glance. It's no secret that Michael has feelings for Angeline. She and Theo don't see it.

"Are you alright?" My love furrows her brows.

"I'm good. Even before Theo came, I accepted that she only sees me as her friend. Nothing more. I have a feeling this... infatuation will pass." He glances up at us and smirks. "I am actually glad she picked him, instead of other admirers. Bunch of arrogant pricks."

A giggle bubbles up from my chest, and we all laugh hysterically in the middle of a dead street.

Ki speaks between gasps of laughter, "You remember when Matthew serenaded her—"

"During a patriotic rally! Four streets away no less!" I finish it.

Mike's whole body curls up. "The man didn't even go to war! His rich daddy made sure of it." Rolling his eyes, he coaxes us to follow him as he walks away.

"How do you know? You heard it from somewhere?" I go up to his side and lean closer for a gossip. Have to bend lower than normal, considering Michael's height is on our stomach level.

He nods sagely. "Soon. I'll have my sustenance first."

"You know, we're better than this," Ki reproves with her hands on her hips.

Michael and I look at her, sceptic. We all know these gossips won't make a dent in this kind of people. Her indifference breaks and she relents, catching up to us. Sighing, she nudges him to continue.

I throw a teasing smile. "Can't stop being nosy—"

"Don't start."

____________________

{ KI }

Michael almost chokes on his coffee. "I can't believe you actually did it!"

"It's not a big deal. I only had to use certain wires and components," Aht states with confusion.

"I don't think anyone has ever created this combination." My fingers play with his braid. "A gramophone with a television screen on the underside of the lid. Have you ever seen it before yours?"

My Aht clicks his tongue in dismissal and moves on to other ideas. His finger traces the table in a flurry of movements, his mind is explained at a fast pace.

He likes to study gadgets and instruments. Every day, he won't miss reading books about them from a local library while I take a heavy interest in computer programming. On a side note, it's fascinating how a simple language causes a whole mammoth of a machine to go up and running, in spite of how primitive and limited it is so far.

I know he itches to create more, though not as often as I hoped for. Small things at most. He once told me he feels solely destructive by nature, ever since he couldn't nurture his forest back. I pray to The Highness in hopes he'll heal through it and create to his heart's content...

I'd listen to his every rambling about these big ideas because they are somewhat calm and captivate me all the same. Humorously, he isn't fond of compliments about his ideas. What a cutie.

"Ki helps me a lot. Her mind and her efficiency are"—he kisses my hand repeatedly—"excellence. Pure excellence. She can teach people with her knowledge."

Nevertheless, he has no qualms in complimenting me with such zeal. I don't dismiss his because... I am keen on his praises. I don't give a damn about other people's flattery, but his words are affecting me so. More during our lovemaking in particular.

I cough, staving off an inappropriate line of thought. "We can watch Mr. Bing Crosby sing and listen to Stardust at the same time."

Michael's eyebrows shoot up. "That song is popular. Which year?" He places his cup down carefully.

"1939, I think?" I scratch my nape, recalling.

"Matty Malneck's orchestra! They did an amazing job."

Aht nods in agreement. "Anyway, I'll show you after I'm done with the wiring."

"I'll hold on to your word." Michael beams.

More and more customers enter Aunt Jac's place. As I'm talking with Michael about newly released songs, I notice that Aht watches a big family across the room. Several kids play with their father. The pregnant mother orders from a menu and rubs her tummy. The grandmother, I assume, almost dozes off in her seat.

His gaze seems yearning.

____________________

When we and Michael part ways, Aht hurries back to the inn, hauling me along. He continues until we enter our room. I would have thought he was in a mood, but he seemed thrilled after we discussed martial arts earlier.

He sheds his coat and boots in a rush and dives under our bed.

"What are you looking for, my dear?" Taking off my winter clothing, I squint at where Aht is searching for something.

"Sticks."

"What on earth did you mean by that?"

Then, Aht drags out the biggest stick I've ever seen—besides his, heh. It's a staff and the height is the same as mine. He throws it at me and I catch it swiftly, twirling it. Smooth, heavy, and carved with swirling patterns. He soon grabs two smaller sticks out, the sizes are as big as his forearms and there are handles attached to the near ends. As if they're a pair of drunken T's. What is their name? I know them somewhere, I read them up before.

"Those have a lot of names, correct?"

"Yeah! Topang, guai, tonfa, staupe. Mai sowk for double handles." He twirls the sticks. "We didn't get the chance to fight with our swords and daggers. I hope these will do since—"

"We can't buy any swords and daggers. For the meantime."

Flashing a lopsided grin, he spins it, points it my way, and nods in a sharp move... How dare he. He has no business being more attractive. "And they're the closest substitutes to our usual weapons. Maybe I will try batons too."

Focusing on matters at hand, I try to even my ragged breaths. "When did you make these?"

"Every time you had solo shifts." He taps topang on my staff thrice in quick succession. "Let's have a warm-up before lunch."

Exhaling long, I shake off my desire for a sexually-charged spar. Not the time. Maybe next time. He wishes for a normal spar, he'll get a spar. I can't prove him right by being an insatiable monster as he claimed. "In this room? We'll ruin furniture."

He—! He faux strikes my right but quickly to my left and I parry his blow upwards. His stick presses against mine, firm and unrattled. I snap up to him and he stares down at me, deadpan. His topang... grazes my staff tantalizingly, down to my knuckle.

He knows. A naughty glint in his eyes proves it. My breathing is heavier and I imagine having all my dirty ways with him in fighting.

"You're a better fighter than I am. I'm sure you can prevent yourself from breaking furniture." He presses it deep. "You can teach me, right? All the moves... I know you think of it."

Oh, damn him.

I push him off and round him, heated. "Not fair when you're tempting me like this. I'm trying my best to just spar. For you." My jaw flexes from tension.

He chuckles, eyeing me without shame. "You hid your ogle so poorly. This feral look you just gave me... You are fun to tease." Goosebumps.

Without warning, I readjust my grip and swipe my staff in his way. He dodges and jabs.  Our woods click and clack. I have to block and counterattack whenever it's possible since he is very random, which is a first because I could read every opponent's move before.

Backing away, he huffs out, "You are a little annoying."

"Ohohoho." I then laugh unexpectedly. "I'd say the same about you."

"You are very... light on your feet, yet your attacks were heavy and disorderly." His skin is sheening with sweat and my mouth longs for it. He spins his sticks again.

And I spin mine. "Yours were unpredictable. I don't know where you will strike next until it's almost too late. Almost."

His brows pinch in shock. "Every time?" This is because he knows my expertise in reading moves. Truly, his self-obliviousness is laughable.

"Yes," I growl and instantly attack him again. He's caught off guard and losing his balance from a rash deflection. I take my chance. Releasing my staff, I then leap into his arms and cause him to fall on our bed. I pin his wrists above him and straddle over his hips. He is laughing his heart out... Infectious, I tell you.

"Surrendeerrr!" I yell to the ceiling.

He tries to talk between full-toned giggles. "Nooo!" He wriggles, but weak attempts.

Peppering my kisses on him, I hear his... pretty, erotic sounds emanate out of the blue.

"Why you...? Oh." I blink when his bulge rubs against my clothed crotch. "That fast?"

"Tried to focus on our fight and did until you leapt on me," he laughs again, blushing.

My uncontrollable grin emerges and I kiss him soundly. He pushes the weapons off of our bed and hugs me as my hair covers our heads, shutting the world out... Sitting back up, I take off my blouse and he stares at me with the same yearning earlier.

My pointer finger brushes his cheekbones and nose. "Aht, why did you watch a family from afar? At Aunt Jac's?"

His brows raise. "That came out of nowhere."

"You have this same look towards me."

Staring up the ceiling, he chews his bottom lip. His fingers stretch on my hips. After what feels like a minute or two, he answers, "I have a mere desire to create a family with you. That's all." He gives me a small smile.

...

"You want to have children with me?"

"Yes."

Hm. There will be cute babies running around in our house... Loving them from the start and small inside me. Our children will be our best friends. Our grandkids will have his nose and the shape of my face. Generations made by the pieces of us. Together. Through time after we'll be long gone.

They will get to taste the gift of living like we do.

"I didn't tell you sooner because you just had your first period a month ago." He holds my waist. "Added that we were thrown into this new world and we need to accumulate our savings. Plus, I don't know if you want kids—"

I rip his shirt apart, buttons flying off. His wide-eyed shock doesn't stop me from touching his body and my erratic, moving hips. Soon, he melts under me, panting with hooded eyes. His hands slide down to my rear and fondle me.

"Yes. A billion yes, my fire," I say breathlessly. "Whether by tomorrow, next month, after the war, I want to bear your children. They will be little yous."

Our eyes meet, hopeful for the future.

"Sweetheart, you'd get headaches if they are."